Top prospect Ronald Acuna Jr. set to join Braves on Wednesday

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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

CINCINNATI -- Top outfield prospect Ronald Acuna Jr. is set to join the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves planned to promote the 20-year-old from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday to join them in Cincinnati.

Acuna is ranked No. 1 on ESPN Insider Keith Law's top 100 prospectslist. He also began this season as MLB.com's No. 2 overall prospect, behindLos Angeles Angelstwo-way sensation Shohei Ohtani.

Acuna rose from Class A to Triple-A in 2017, hitting a combined .325 with 21 home runs, 82 RBIs and 44 stolen bases. Then he was named MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

Acuna teased Braves fans with a monster spring training, batting .432 with four homers, four stolen bases and a 1.247 OPS in 16 games.

At Triple-A this month, Acuna was off to a slow start, hitting .232 with one homer and two RBIs in 69 at-bats.

By delaying his promotion a few weeks past Opening Day, the Braves pushed back Acuna's free-agent eligibility until after the 2024 season.

Acuna and 21-year-old second baseman Ozzie Albies will give Atlanta the two youngest players in the majors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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